MLB Player News

McHugh (shoulder) told reporters before Saturday's game that he is feeling good and likely to return in the next couple of days, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports.

McHugh threw 34 pitches over three scoreless innings in a rehab appearance for High-A Rome on Friday. The right-hander will take a couple of days off, and assuming there are no setbacks and McHugh continues to feel well, he should be operating in the Atlanta bullpen by the end of next week.

The Marlins transferred Nance (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

The transaction clears a spot on the 40-man roster for right-hander Jeff Lindgren, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Jacksonville ahead of Saturday's doubleheader with the Guardians. Nance has been working his way back from a right shoulder strain since late February and will now have to wait until at least the end of May before he can make his 2023 debut with the Marlins.

Reed was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Saturday.

Reed had his contract selected Friday but spend just one day on the big-league roster, giving up six runs against the Cubs while retiring just two batters. Victor Gonzalez was recalled to take his place on the roster.

The Dodgers recalled Gonzalez from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday.

Gonzalez owns a 2.75 ERA in 55.2 career major-league innings, but he missed all of last season with elbow troubles and failed to win an Opening Day roster spot this year. After striking out 12 batters in seven innings for Oklahoma City while allowing just one run, he'll get the chance to prove himself at the highest level again. Jake Reed was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Knehr was optioned to Triple-A El Paso by the Padres on Saturday, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Knehr struggled to a 12.27 ERA over three appearances and 3.2 innings while with the club. The right-hander was optioned down to El Paso to make room for Joe Musgrove (toe/shoulder), who will come off the injured list to make his 2023 season debut Saturday.

Bellatti was placed on the 15-day injured list with right triceps tendinitis Saturday.

The move was made retroactive to Friday, so Bellatti will be eligible to return May 6, but it's unclear if he'll have a chance to make it back after a minimum-length stay. The righty gave up just two hits and zero runs in his first six appearances but allowed six runs on nine hits in his last four outings. It's possible those struggles were injury-related. Cristopher Sanchez (triceps) was activated off the injured list to take Bellati's place on the roster.

Bolanos, who signed a minor-league contract with the Marlins on April 8, made his organizational debut Friday for Triple-A Jacksonville. He tossed four shutout innings against Nashville, striking out one while scattering two hits and one walk.

The 26-year-old right-hander will give the Marlins some added organizational starting depth while Miami has two members of its season-opening rotation (Trevor Rogers and Johnny Cueto) on the injured list. Bolanos has previously made five big-league starts, but he'll likely be behind at least Triple-A rotation mate Bryan Hoeing for a promotion when the Marlins require a replacement starter for Rogers beginning next week.

Smeltzer is scheduled to start the first game of Saturday's doubleheader in Cleveland, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Smeltzer has made both of his appearances for Miami to date out of the bullpen, working four innings on April 10 in Philadelphia and one inning in Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the Giants. Considering Smeltzer threw 23 pitches in that outing and is now taking the hill on just two days' rest, he'll likely be in store for a relatively light workload Saturday even though he's starting. The Marlins are expected to select Jeff Lindgren's contract from Triple-A Jacksonville to have him serve as the 27th man for the twin bill, and he could be tasked with covering the bulk of the innings once Smeltzer exits the contest.

Alvarado picked up the save during Friday's 4-3 win over the Rockies, striking out zero over a perfect ninth inning.

Alvarado entered with a one-run lead and retired Charlie Blackmon, C.J. Cron and Ryan McMahon in order. The left-hander has put together three consecutive successful save chances after blowing his first opportunity and appears to be separating himself as the top closing option over Seranthony Dominguez and Craig Kimbrel, who've both been relegated to hold situations in their recent appearances.

Finnegan picked up the save Friday against the Twins. He didn't allow a run on one hit and one walk in one inning.

Finnegan allowed the first two batters of the inning to reach, but a soft lineout and a double play gave the right-hander his fourth save of the season. Finnegan allowed seven runs in his first three outings of the season but has rebounded by not allowing a run over his last five innings, lowering his ERA to 8.59.